[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33251-33254]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-15667]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreements to Medical
Organizations to Support Campaign Safe & Sober
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreements to Medical
Organizations to Support Campaign Safe & Sober.
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SUMMARY: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
announces the availability of FY 1995 limited competitive cooperative
agreements to support the Secretary of Transportation's goals of
increasing safety belt use to 75 percent and reducing the proportion of
alcohol-related fatalities by 35 percent (to 11,000 annually) by the
year 2005. This notice solicits applications from national, nonprofit
medical organizations that are interested in developing and
implementing projects under this program. Project emphasis will be
placed on promoting legislation to upgrade safety belt laws, actively
supporting the traffic safety efforts of the law enforcement community,
promoting injury prevention, and enhancing capacity-building among the
selected medical organizations' membership to work with the media to
publicize Campaign Safe & Sober activities.
DATE: Applications must be received at the office designated below on
or before August 18, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted to the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Contracts and Procurement
(NAD-30), ATTN: Rose Watson, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 5301,
Washington, DC 20590. All applications submitted must include a
reference to NHTSA Limited Competitive Cooperative Agreement Program
No. DTNH22-95-H-05202. Interested applicants are advised that no
separate application package exits beyond the contents of this
announcement.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: General administrative questions may
be directed to Rose Watson, Office of Contracts and Procurement, at
(202) 366-9557. Programmatic questions relating to this cooperative
agreement should be directed to Ms. Fran Hurtado, Highway Safety
Specialist, Room 5118 (NTS-11), 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590, at (202) 366-1108.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Traffic crashes are consistently the leading cause of death for
persons between the ages of 5 and 32, and are a significant cause of
death for all ages. About 40,000 people die in traffic crashes each
year and 5 million persons are injured. Many of the deaths and injuries
that occur on our roads are not the result of unavoidable incidents.
Instead, the consequences of these crashes are the result of the
failure to take proper precautions such as wearing safety belts and
bicycle helmets, and exhibiting unsafe driving behaviors such as
speeding and impaired driving. Reducing the number of deaths and
injuries due to motor vehicle crashes is a significant problem
warranting the attention not only of traffic safety professionals, but
of medical, nursing and public health professionals as well.
Wearing safety belts is the most immediate and effective way of
cutting the highway death toll--and strong occupant protection laws are
the most effective way of increasing safety belt use. Highway deaths
could be cut dramatically if all 50 states had primary safety belt use
laws in effect. The Agency recognizes that usage rates are higher, and
fatality rates are lower in states with primary enforcement.
(Note: With a primary enforcement law, a citation can be written
whenever a law officer observes an unbelted driver or passenger. Nine
States and Puerto Rico currently have primary belt laws; all have use
rates that exceed 70 percent.)
Because of the combination of population size and current usage
rates, the Agency further recognizes that some States are likely to
contribute more than others to reaching a national use rate of 75
percent by 1997. NHTSA believes that targeted Agency expertise and
resources, as well as new private/public sector partnerships should be
utilized to actively encourage and support high-potential States to set
and achieve challenging, but reasonable use rates.
The importance of strengthening the partnership between the traffic
safety and medical communities in motor vehicle related injury
prevention programming has been recognized by both parties. Highway
safety objectives have been included in ``Healthy People 2000,'' the
national health promotion and disease prevention objectives for the
year 2000. NHTSA has included the establishment of cooperative traffic
safety-medical-injury control programs in its priority plan. In
addition, any future health care reform legislation in the Congress
will have a major impact. Whatever action is finally taken, wellness
and preventive health care initiatives are likely to be in the
forefront of any effort to reduce the medical costs associated with
illness and injury. This grant provides new opportunities for the
Agency to solicit the involvement of the medical community in promoting
motor vehicle injury prevention activity.
In 1993, Secretary of Transportation Federico Pena announced two
new national highway safety goals: to reduce the proportion of highway
fatalities that are alcohol-related to 43 percent, and to increase the
national safety belt use rate to at least 75 percent by 1997. In 1994,
the nation met and exceeded the Secretary's alcohol goals, and he has
subsequently announced an aggressive new alcohol goal of reducing the
proportion of alcohol-related fatalities by 35 percent (to 11,000
annually) by the year 2005.
In support of these goals, NHTSA is currently implementing an
initiative called ``Campaign Safe & Sober'' that has become the
centerpiece of the [[Page 33252]] Agency's traffic safety program over
the next several years. It defines the federal strategy for reaching
the Secretary's alcohol and belt use goals. Campaign activities will be
supplemented by outreach programs involving public and private sector
organizations.
Generally, however, Campaign Safe & Sober has three components:
Public information and education to increase public
awareness of the risks and costs of traffic crashes and to support
enforcement efforts through highly visible media
Improved legislation to provide enforceable traffic laws
Enhanced enforcement to reduce alcohol-impaired driving
and increase compliance with belt use laws through special Traffic
Enforcement Programs (STEPS)
To further the overall goals of Campaign Safe & Sober, NHTSA is
seeking increased participation of the injury control communities,
including medical, nursing and public health organizations. The Agency
has a long history of working with health and medical professionals,
civic groups, and private sector organizations who can motivate people,
through their interpersonal contacts, to exhibit safe driving
behaviors. One of the most effective means of educating the public
about various highway safety issues has been through these
organizations. Many organizations have been committed to occupant
protection and impaired driving issues over the years and have,
individually, made contributions of time, materials, resources and
effort to promote the cause.
In efforts to achieve the Secretary's goals, NHTSA proposes to
initiate cooperative efforts with two national, nonprofit medical
organizations. Each of the two organizations will develop a motor
vehicle injury prevention program specific to the respective
organization for implementation in mutually selected states and
communities across the country. The program will focus on alcohol and
occupant protection issues, but may be expanded to include activities
in pedestrian, bicycle and motorcycle safety. Program efforts will be
concentrated on working with the organization's members to effectively
communicate with their legislators, colleagues, patients, the community
and law enforcement officials in an effort to increase safety belt use.
The medical community plays a key role in influencing local and
state decision makers and elected officials to promote programs and
policies that discourage unhealthy behaviors (smoking, alcohol or other
drug abuse, etc.) and encourage healthy behaviors (wearing seat belts,
bicycle and motorcycle helmets, use of child safety seats, etc.).
However, the potential for medical leadership in the public policy
arena often goes unrealized. Capacity-building in the medical community
needs to be encouraged to augment existing advocacy, legislative and
media skills.
Objectives
Under this cooperative agreement, the concepts of injury control,
through the promotion of safe traffic safety behaviors, will be
advanced. Specific objectives for this cooperative agreement program
are as follows:
1. To promote effective traffic safety legislation, with special
emphasis on primary safety belt use law upgrades and on broader child
safety seat legislation.
2. To work effectively with the media to support the efforts of
police to enforce occupant protection (and alcohol-impaired driving)
laws.
3. To motivate members of these two national medical organizations
and members of the public they serve to adopt traffic-related behaviors
that promote safety and health.
Anticipated activities of this cooperative agreement for each of
the two medical organizations are:
1. An assessment of existing motor vehicle/injury control
prevention activity currently being conducted by the organization.
2. The development, pilot testing and evaluation of a capacity-
building workshop for the organization's membership to enhance the
media and advocacy skills necessary to support targeted legislative and
enforcement activities; and other Campaign Safe & Sober initiatives.
3. Development of policy statements for the organization in support
of traffic safety legislation and enforcement.
4. Development and implementation of a focused, mutually-agreed
upon strategy (or strategies) targeting high potential States to
support legislative and enforcement efforts. Possible approaches
include: identification and development of ``resource members'' to
provide technical assistance (on-site, by telephone or by mail) to
individual State/local organizations to prepare letter-writing
campaigns, to prepare and deliver testimony at legislative hearings, to
make personal appearances at key meetings/events and in media
interviews, etc.
Anticipated outcomes include:
1. An increase in the number and quality of motor prevention
activities conducted by the organizations' members (ie., civic and
professional presentations; media appearances; placement of editorials
and articles in organizational publications and in the print media).
2. An observable increase in support for local and statewide
(alcohol and safety belt) law enforcement efforts in selected sites.
3. An increase in the number of medical professionals who are
involved in traffic safety legislative advocacy activities (ie.
preparation and delivery of testimony, engaging in dialogue with
legislators, taking leadership roles in traffic safety advocacy
coalitions.)
Specific Tasks
1. The contractor shall meet with the COTR within one week after
the award of the contract to review details of the contractor's
proposed work plan and schedules for this project.
2. The contractor shall work with NHTSA to mutually identify high
potential States that are likely to contribute to reaching a national
safety belt use rate of 75 percent by 1997.
3. The contractor shall adapt or develop materials to be used to
educate members in high potential States.
4. The contractor shall develop a ``capacity-building'' strategy
for member to work with the media in high potential States to provide
support for legislative, enforcement and other ongoing prevention
efforts (including media efforts, letter-writing capacity, presenting
testimony, etc.)
5. The contractor shall identify and train members in high
potential States to deliver support for legislative and enforcement
activities.
6. The contractor or affiliates shall pilot test the capacity-
building strategies and resulting traffic safety advocacy using members
selected by the medical organization.
7. A description of pilot activities will be required by the COTR
before the pilot testing commences. Contingent with the submission of
the test plan, the contractor shall present the COTR a detailed method
of evaluating the effectiveness of the strategies.
8. The contractor shall implement these support activities.
9. It is imperative that the contractor make provisions in his/her
organization to continue the implementation of the strategies developed
after the termination of this cooperative agreement within each of the
target areas for at least two years. Emphasis should be placed on
making this an ongoing program that is self-sufficient. NHTSA will be
prepared to offer suggestions that may assist the contractor to achieve
this goal.
[[Page 33253]]
10. Quarterly progress reports will be provided. The contractor
shall, upon completion of this project, present to NHTSA a detailed
report of the entire project.
Deliverables
A final list of required deliverables will be developed in
accordance with the accepted proposal prior to award. For planning
purposes, the Agency anticipates that the required deliverables will
include the following:
Work Plan and Schedules--1 Week, 3 Weeks and 4 Weeks after award
Progress Reports--Quarterly
Final Report (Draft)--1 Year after award
Plan for Self-sustenance, Final Report--2 Months after project
completion
NHTSA Role in Activities
The NHTSA Office of Occupant Protection (OOP), National
Organizations Division (NTS-11) will be involved in all activities
undertaken as part of this cooperative agreement program and will:
1. Provide a project officer to participate in the planning and
management of the cooperative agreement and to coordinate activities
between the organization and OOP
2. Make available information and technical assistance from
government sources, including a copy of the previously conducted NHTSA
study. Additional assistance shall be within resources available
3. Provide liaison with government and private agencies as
appropriate.
Evaluation Criteria and Review Process
Proposals must demonstrate that the applicant meet all eligibility
requirements listed above. Proposals will be evaluated based upon bid
price and upon the following weighted six factors:
1. Potential Project Impact--25 points. What the organization
proposes to accomplish and the potential of the proposed project to
significantly contribute to achieving the Secretary's national alcohol
and belts goals through Campaign Safe & Sober
2. Proposed Approach or Strategy--25 points. The extent to which
the project addresses foreseeable barriers to gaining significant
involvement of the medical professionals in motor vehicle injury
prevention advocacy programs. These barriers include awareness,
motivation, instruction, and personal and financial limitations.
3. Experience and Capability of Organization--20 points. The
overall experience, capability and commitment of the organization to
facilitate involvement of its membership in the promotion of motor
vehicle injury control.
4. Soundness of the Proposed Work Plan--15 points. The soundness
and feasibility of the proposed approach or work plan, including the
evaluation to assess program effectiveness and outcomes.
5. Proposed Administrative Plan--10 points. How the organization
will provide the administrative capability and staff expertise
necessary to complete the proposed project.
6. Proposed Coordination Plan--5 points. The proposed coordination
with and use of other available resources, including collaboration with
state highway safety offices and other existing or planned state and
community motor vehicle injury control programs.
Upon receipt of applications by the agency, they will be screened
to assure that all eligibility requirements have been met. Applications
will be reviewed by NHTSA staff using the criteria outlined above. The
results of this review will be recommendations to the agency management
for Competitive Cooperative Agreement award.
Support, Terms and Conditions
Contingent on the availability of funds, satisfactory performance,
and continued demonstrated need, this cooperative agreement may be
awarded for a project period of up to twelve months. The application
for the funding period (12 months) should address what is proposed and
can be satisfactorily accomplished during that period.
The anticipated funding level for this cooperative agreement in FY
95 is $150,000, or $75,000 for each of two (2) organizations. Federal
funds should be viewed as seed money to assist organizations in the
development of traffic safety initiatives. Monies allocated in this
cooperative agreement are not intended to cover all of the costs that
will be incurred in completing this project. Applicants should
demonstrate a commitment of financial and in-kind resources to the
support of this project.
The organizations participating in this cooperative agreement
program may use awarded funds to support salaries of individuals
assigned to the project, the development or purchase of direct program
materials, direct program-related activities, or for travel related to
the cooperative agreement.
The award recipient will be required to submit quarterly progress
reports on a schedule to be determined after award. In addition, the
recipient will be required to submit a detailed final summary report
describing the project and its outcomes no later than two (2) months
after termination of this agreement.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible to participate in this cooperative
agreement, an organization must meet the following requirements:
1. Be a private, national, non-profit medical organization;
2. Have an established membership structure with state/local
chapters or affiliates in a broad geographic region of the country;
3. Have in place a schedule of annual regional/state conference or
conventions and a variety of communication mechanisms that are
appropriate for educating and motivating members and other constituents
to become involved in legislative advocacy and implementation support
of occupant protection laws;
4. Demonstrate an understanding of occupant protection issues: and
5. Demonstrate top level support within the organization for the
project and, where appropriate, demonstrate similar support from the
membership or local affiliates.
Application Procedures
1. All applications must be covered by a signed copy of OMB
Standard Form 424 (revised 4/88, including 424A and 424B) ``Application
for Federal Assistance'' with the required information filled in and
the certified assurances included. This form is available from the
NHTSA Office of Contracts and Procurement (NAD-30), 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590, (202 366-0607). Form 424-A deals with budget
information, and Section B identifies Budget Categories, the available
space does not permit for a level of detail which is sufficient to
provide for a useful evaluation of the proposed costs. A supplemental
sheet should be provided which presents a detailed breakdown of the
proposed costs.
2. Applications shall include a program narrative statement which
addresses the following:
A. Goals and Objectives
(i) Demonstrates the need for the assistance and states the
principle and subordinate objectives of the project. Supporting
documentation from concerned interests other than the applicant can be
used. Any relevant data based on planning studies should be included or
footnoted.
(ii) Identifies the results and benefits to be
derived. [[Page 33254]]
B. Approach
(i) Outlines a plan of action pertaining to the scope and detail on
how the proposed work will be accomplished. Include the reasons for
taking this approach as opposed to other approaches.
(ii) Describes any unusual features, such as design or
technological innovations and extraordinary social/community
involvement.
(iii) Provides quantitative projections of the accomplishments to
be achieved, if possible, or lists the activities in chronological
order to show the schedule of accomplishments and their target dates.
(iv) Identifies the kinds of data to be collected and maintained,
and discusses the criteria to be used to evaluate the results. Explains
the methodology that will be used to determine if the needs identified
and discussed are being met and if the results and benefits identified
are being achieved.
(v) Lists each organization, corporation, consultant, or other
individual who will work on the project along with a short description
of the nature of their effort or contribution and relevant experience.
3. Applications must be typed on one side of the page only. The
original and two copies of each application must be submitted. An
applicant may submit an additional four copies to facilitate the review
process, but there is no requirement or obligation to do so.
Terms and Conditions of the Award
Prior to the award, each recipient must comply with the
certification requirements of 49 CFR part 29--Department of
Transportation. During the effective period of the cooperative
agreement awarded as a result of this notice, the agreements shall be
submitted to general administrative requirements of OMB Circular A-110
(or the ``common rule'', if effected prior to the award), the cost
principles of OMB Circular A-21 or A-22, as applicable to the
recipient, and the provisions of 49 CFR part 29, Governmentwide
Debarment and Suspension (nonprocurement).
Issued On: June 21, 1995.
James H. Hedlund,
Acting Associate Administrator, Traffic Safety Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-15667 Filed 6-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M
